The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1887-09-07
What We See From the Prison Tower.

What We See From the Prison Tower.
We see on Sunday the back doors of some sa-
looms left slightly ajar, and customers going in
slyly, but whether the unsteady wall. Of many
during Sunday afternoon is caused by this or the
uneven sidewalks, we could not say at this dis
lance.
We see the street leading from the Northwest
ern brewery up the cliff to Staples quarries is in
very unsafe condition. there being no guard be-
tween it and the precipice below. Also the quar-
ries have encrOached on the street. Look out for
damage suits
We see the streets are badly lighted nights, and
were it not for the vigilance of the police force it
would be dangerous going through the city
Tramps give the city wide birth, knowing they
will be run in.
We see that the city authorities leave North
Main street in a horrible condition. especially be.
tween the st. Croix mills and the prison. After a
rain storm it is nearly impossible for teams
We see that in the grading of Third street, a
camefs back has been left opposite Jos. Schupp's
residence. 1t makes kind of jumping-off place.
Was the grade changed after the assessments
were made?
Wants a Total Abstinence Society.
Editor Mirror
While perusing the able contributions contained
in your estm able paper, the thought occurred to
me, why is it that men gifted with suci profound
and philosophical reasoning placed in their
present position?
Here is a question that through the medium of
your valuable paper IL force itself the minds
OF great many persons, who in their limited
knowledge of criminal characteristics regard the
average convict as species of humanity who
for some unexplained reason ia led to receive his
portion of good sense, and consequently good
judgement, supposed to be the inheritance of all
rational persons; but, thanks to you, glance into
THE PRISON MIRROR will effectually dispel that
idea. The subject is too deep for my weak capac-
ity but in all humility allow me to give it as my
opinion that this and similar institut ons peO-
pied, directly indirectly, by men, and some
times (sad to say women, who are, when at liber-
ty continually finding fault at the length of time
between drinks
Now. these same leople. in Their sober senses
would find it moral, and, i'll some cases. phys
zeal impossioility, to commit the act for which
they are now paying the penalty; and knowing
this TO be 20, it follows naturally that the best
way to prevent IL repetition of the offence to
take measures to remove the cause. The article
on ''The Problem solved" suggested to my mind
the possibility OF starting :; reform right now and
here. Fools reform tomorrow; let us reform to-
day. II, as is said, lit takes rogue to catch a
rogue. y it follows that the one to reform rogue
is reformed rogue. Why not organize a total
abstinence society; take the pledge for any num-
Der of years: hold mt ceilings in chapel Sunday
afternoons: tell one another our experience from
the pulpit; impose small fee of initiation on
each member, to be use.t in defraying any expense
incurred, such as extra duty of guards badges,
ETC., and bind each member under strict obliga-
tions to correspond with the secretary after leav
ing here, and thus encourage others with the
knowledge that those outside doing right?
If you do this you will do more towards reforming
criminals than all the efforts of outsiders COM
bned. ON.
Sept l. 1887.